OC Softball beat West Linn at their first league home game of the season with a score of 7-4.

Both schools are rivals, with West Linn ranked at number nine and Oregon City at 24, both schools ranked out of the 48 6A softball teams. Oregon City is in the lead against West Linn.

“The win felt like a turning point in our season,” Oregon City Head Coach Mackenzie Washington said. “We came out to start the league, ready to go and ready to compete.” It’s always great to get a win against our rivals and this year we get to play them twice at home, so it’s great to start the series with a win.” 

Some of “The best part of the game” for OC is doing it as a team, the Coach said. Hitters were on their job and scoring. “Ellie Joseph also had an amazing game on the mound and our defense was sound behind her.” Senior Pioneer Ellie Joseph who is a left-hand pitcher.

“I felt a sense of calm and confidence,” Joseph said. “I knew my team had my back both defensively and at the plate. It was a league opener and a rivalry game so there was a lot of excitement.”

Junior Pioneer Sophie Funnemark hit a home run during the game.

“After hitting my home run, I was just excited for my team,” Funnemark said.“The run was putting us up ahead against a rival.”

After pitching, Sophomore Pioneer Piper Berrington watched her teammates play. 

“It was nerve racking game considering it was our first league game, but all it was a good feeling to pull out the win for us,” Berrington said. 

Coach Washington said, “We need more wins.” her approach for the rest of the season is “looking for the energy and execution to be more consistent at this point in the season.”